Serena Williams should be celebrating being named GQ Woman of the Year, but social media is in an uproar over the magazine's cover.

On the cover, the word "woman" appears in quotes, as though to question her gender, prompting some to deem it offensive. 

The magazine has not commented, but Mick Rouse, a research manager for GQ, offered an explanation on Twitter, pointing to the fact that the graphic in question was handwritten by designer Virgil Abloh, who is known for putting quotes around words. He even signs his own name in quotes. 

Abloh collaborated with Williams on her off-the-shoulder tutu look for the U.S. Open earlier this year, which featured the word "logo" in quotes on it as well. Her name, "Serena," was in quotes on her trainers too. 

RELATED STORIES

Billie Jean King Thanks Serena Williams for Calling Out Sexist Tennis 'Double Standard'

Serena Williams' Daughter Alexis Is Clearly Her Biggest Fan at Fed Cup

Tennis Star Serena Williams Shares First Photo of Her Child: 'We Got a Baby Girl'